T&T men win another five-set CAZOVA battle

COUVA, Trinidad, July 5, 2017 – Host and defending champion maintained its unbeaten start to the 16th Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Men’s Championship with a second 3-2 win at the National Cycling Centre.

After escaping with a 3-2 win over Curacao in its Pool D opener on Wednesday, the Ryan Stewart-captain locals again had to dig deep for a 22-25, 25-22, 28-30, 25-21, 15-9 triumph over a spirited Suriname.

With the victory, T&T, winners in 2010 and 2014 moved to a 2-0 record and top spot in the pool while Suriname dropped to 1-1, the same as Martinique and Curacao is 0-2.

Reflecting on the result, Suriname captain Casey Foe-A-Man said that his team could not be at fault for the outcome and most of the blame is on him.

“I am disappointed in myself as a player because I did not make the right choices I needed to in crucial parts of the match.”

Stewart praised his team for once again showing good fighting spirit.

“We did not get off to a good start as we wanted, but once again we played with a lot of heart and fight and in the end got the win.”

Suriname coach Getrouw Verdy said his team had a good match until the fifth set.

“We were doing the right things to win the match, but in the final set we did not focus or have the concentration we needed to.”

T&T’s Sean Morrison once again saluted his players for their never-say-die attitude.

“I think we showed a lot of improvement from our first match as we served and pass a lot better.

“We also kept on working and played as a team and I know we still have a lot to do.”

On Thursday in T&T faces Martinique from 9pm with a win almost guaranteeing the automatic qualifier for the semifinals while the loser will contest the quarterfinals. Suriname comes up against Curacao from 2pm.